PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jack Popov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dima Safronov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dima Safronov is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Popov
vs
Safronov

178 cm
26
222 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

186 cm
24
217 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent MT
KO power

Good wrestler
Great elbows
Good gas tank

Zombie Nutrition - LOD
LOD: Affordable Quality

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jack Popov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dima Safronov!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Alan Glass and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Safronov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Popov.

Popov drops Safronov with a right and a left! Popov comes rushing in but Safronov regains his composure and manages to keep Popov in guard.

Safronov is rocked!

It looks like Dima Safronov has been cut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Safronov is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Popov is controlling him.
Safronov is still in real trouble! Can Popov finish him?
Popov wants to control from the top but Safronov keeps moving.
Safronov is looking to stand up but Popov isn't so interested in that idea.
Safronov seems to have recovered his senses.
Popov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Popov trying to control but Safronov is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Jack Popov wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Safronov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
We've been told by Popov's head coaches at Main Event Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Popov goes for a double leg but Safronov avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Safronov continues to drive forward.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jack Popov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Popov manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Popov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Safronov defends well.
Safronov looking to sit in guard and control but Popov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Popov stops Safronov from standing up.

Safronov looking for a guillotine here but Popov defends easily.

Popov decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Safronov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Popov throws a low kick but it's checked well by Safronov.
Nice takedown defense from Safronov. No joy for Popov on that attempt.
Popov looks for a takedown but Safronov sprawls well.
Safronov goes for a double leg but Popov avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Popov continues to drive forward.
Popov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Safronov jumps guard.
Popov trying to control but Safronov is working from the bottom.
Safronov wants to stand up but Popov is controlling him.

Popov drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Safronov manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Popov has Safronov in his guard.
Safronov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Popov's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Popov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Safronov landing some decent shots from guard.
Safronov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Popov is controlling Safronov's posture.
Safronov scoring with some ground and pound.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Popov trying to control the position.
Safronov trying to control the position from guard on top but Popov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Safronov with a nice head shot there.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Popov manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Safronov scores with a shot to the side of Popov's head.

Safronov turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Safronov looks up at the clock and then as Popov takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Safronov smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Popov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Dima Safronov's cut.
That's time! Popov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Popov goes for a double leg but Safronov avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Safronov continues to drive forward.
Popov is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Safronov to keep the fight standing.

Safronov tightens his grip and picks Popov up, before dumping him to the ground. Popov manages to land in guard.
Safronov trying to stand up but can't free himself from Popov's guard.
Safronov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Safronov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Popov keeping full guard, as Safronov tries to pass.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Safronov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Popov's head.
Safronov trying to control the position from guard on top but Popov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Safronov is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Popov has momentary wrist control but Safronov slips an elbow through the middle.
Safronov postures up.
Dima Safronov has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Popov wants to sweep here but Safronov controlling him for the moment.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Safronov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Popov trying to control the position.

We're going to have a standup here because Jack Popov wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Popov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Safronov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Popov is rocked!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jack Popov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Safronov shoots in for a takedown. He's got it... He's hoisted his opponent over his head and is carrying him over to the other end of the mat. The crowd roars in approval and Safronov slams his opponent to the mat. OH, that is naaaaaasty! He's out! Safronov lands a punch to his unconscious victim for good measure before the ref has time to call the fight.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:44 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Slam). Dima Safronov!
Dima Safronov thanked the fans post fight for their support.